Walking Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands

7 days from £3100 per person

Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands are rightly known the world over not only for their beautiful and dramatic scenery but also for the excellence of their hiking. For fit and experienced walkers, this itinerary features a combination of summit climbs, valley walks and a boat excursion all in the company of an experience outdoors guide. The first three days of the itinerary are in Highland Perthshire with its heather clad hills, pine forests and picturesque glens. From here head to Oban and travel by boat along the coast towards Glencoe which will be the base for the remainder of the holiday. This is the setting for some of the best hiking in Scotland and over the next few days hike trails to mountains, moors and lochs before ending with a visit to Balquhidder and the grave of Rob Roy MacGregor.

Perth – Aberfeldy – Loch Leven – Perth

Itinerary Highlights

Hike Glen Lyon, which was described by Sir Walter Scott the ‘longest, loneliest and loveliest glen in Scotland’. The glen offers diverse walking, from valley hikes to summit ascents.

Take a memorable private RIB boat along Loch Linnhe and Loch Leven. Explore deserted beaches and spot a host of marine life including seal, porpoise and dolphin.

Ascend a little-known hiking trail to a summit for some of the very best views that Glencoe has to offer including to the north face of famous Buachaille Etive Mor.

Itinerary: Walking Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands

Day 1 Perth to Aberfeldy – 35 miles

Meet your driver-guide in Perth and after lunch drive west to Killin which is located at the western extremity of Loch Tay. This will be the starting point for the first hike of the holiday and involves a short but steep climb to a viewpoint over the loch. After completing the climb return to the car and drive towards Aberfeldy and your hotel where you will stay for the next three nights. (L/D)

Walk details: 3 miles/5kms – 450m/1480 feet of ascent – approximately 2 hours

Accommodation in Aberfeldy: Fortingal Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Aberfeldy and Highland Perthshire

Today you will be hiking in Glen Lyon. Described by Sir Walter Scott as the ‘longest, loneliest and loveliest glen in Scotland’, the glen is flanked by steep sided hills which offers superb walking. With your guide, discuss the hikes on offer – maybe along the valley floor or a possible ascent of one of the summits. Return to the hotel and in the evening enjoy a private whiskey tasting session before dinner. (B/L/D)

Walk details: 6 miles/10kms – 750m/2460 feet of ascent – approximately 6 hours

Accommodation in Aberfeldy: Fortingal Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 Aberfeldy and Highland Perthshire

Today climb Schiehallion – known locally as the Fairy Hill of Caledonia. This is one of Perthshire’s best hikes and an excellent trail winds up the mountain reaching a summit that is 1083m above sea level. The views are fabulous and far reaching across the Highlands and beyond. Return to the hotel in the afternoon to relax with an ale of whiskey. (B/L/D)

Walk details: 6 miles/10kms – 750m/2460 feet of ascent – approximately 6 hours

Accommodation in Aberfeldy: Fortingal Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 Aberfeldy to Loch Leven – 80 miles

This morning leave Aberfeldy and drive west to Oban. Here join a private RIB boat for a memorable journey that will ultimately conclude at Glencoe. Stop enroute to explore deserted beaches, islands and coves whilst keeping a watchful eye for a range of marine life including seal, porpoise and dolphin. Arrive in Loch Leven in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel for a next three night stay. (B/L/D)

Walk details: 2 miles/4kms – minimal elevation gain – approximately 2 hours

Accommodation in Loch Leven: Local hotel

Day 5 Loch Leven

After breakfast make your way to the village of Kinlochleven which will be the start of today’s hike. The trail begins in forest and soon you will encounter Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall which falls almost 50 feet. Continue on, leaving the forest until reaching a remote loch framed by mountains and moor. The return is equally as memorable which spectacular views to Loch Leven and even the Pap of Glencoe. (B/L/D)

Walk details: 8 miles/13kms – 350m/1150 feet of ascent – approximately 5 hours

Accommodation in Loch Leven: Local hotel

Day 6 Loch Leven

Today experience some of the finest views in Glencoe reached from a little-climbed and little-known peak. The ascent starts on the open hillside and views start to unveil almost instantly as height is gained. At the summit the views are spectacular and stretch as far as the north face of Buachaille Etive Mor – one of Glencoe’s most famous peaks. Afterwards return to your hotel. En-route you may also wish to stop for a drink at a well-known mountaineer’s pub. (B/L/D)

Walk details: 7 miles/11kms – 650m/2130 feet of ascent – approximately 5 hours

Accommodation in Loch Leven: Local hotel

Day 7 Loch Leven to Perth – 100 miles

This morning you will leave Glencoe and begin the drive south to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Here you will visit the small churchyard in Balquhidder which is the location of the grave of Rob Roy MacGregor. Time permitting undertake a short hike to Creag an Tuirc, the summit marked with a large cairn and far reaching views of Loch Voil. Continue on to Perth arriving in the late afternoon. (B/L)

Walk details: 2 miles/3kms – 150m/490 feet of ascent – approximately 1 ½ hours

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

Private car with English speaking driver-guide
Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
Hotel accommodation and taxes
Privately chartered RIB zodiac boat from Oban to Loch Leven

What's not included

Any International flights
Any Domestic flights
Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature
Meals unless specified

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.

This trip is suitable for active travellers who have a good level of fitness and are experienced hikers. You will need to be comfortable walking at a good pace and should expect to be walking for between 6 and 8 hours a day. Hikes will not always follow paths and you should expect the terrain underfoot to occasionally be rough and boggy. This includes boulder fields and mountain tops so you will need to be confident hiking on uneven ground. Some of the daily walks will involve mountain ascents of approximately 2400 feet / 750m. It is also worth noting that the weather in Scotland can be unpredictable which can make outdoor activities more challenging. As a result your guide may have to change the itinerary to suit the conditions

On this itinerary you will have your own private vehicle (Ford Custom or similar) and driver throughout. Your driver will also be your guide. Masks are required to be worn when in the vehicle and to maintain social distancing the vehicle has a maximum occupancy of five people (from the same household). The vehicle will be cleaned every day.

It is also possible, should you wish, to undertake this journey on a self-drive basis using your own vehicle or a hire car. We can also assist you with rail or air travel to and from Scotland as well as any additional hotel stays in Scotland or the rest of the UK. Please contact us for further details.

The options for extending your holiday are almost endless – from the Cairngorms, Arisaig, Argyll and Skye to more time spent in Tayside and Glencoe.

Walking Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands

7 days from £3100 per person

Itinerary Highlights

Itinerary: Walking Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands

What To Do Next?

What's included

What's not included

Guide to Price

What Is A Tailor-Made Holiday?

View On The Map

When to Visit

Scotland Holiday Review

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